Horse-hitching device



(No Model.)

C. SEE.

HORSE HITCHING DEVICE.

No. 448,270. V ,"atented Mar. 17, 1891.

XMK/M v Per-@m @Mmmm miga Urrr: rares arrivi' @erica CHRISTIAN SEE, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

l-lQRSE-HITCHING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent NO.` 448,270, dated March 17, 1891.

Application led November 8, 1890. Serial No. 370,725. (No InodeLl To @ZZ when?, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN SEE, of St. Paul, Ramsey county, Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements in Horse-Hitching Devices, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to improvements in attachments to wagons; and it consists in im proved means for raising and lowering the check or hitch weight attached to the team.

My invention further consists in the construction and combination hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specication, Figure I is a side elevation of a wagon of the type described iitted with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a partial sectional plan view of the rear end of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the same.

A Fig. I is a detail of the clutch mechanism engagin g thelifting-strap of the bitching-weight. Figs. 5 and G are details of the hooks attached to the wheel-spokes for automatically lifting the hitching-weight, and Figs. 7 and S are details of the lifting strap-holder by means of which it is brought into position to be engaged by a hook upon the adjacent wheelspoke to raise the hitch'ingweight.

In the drawings, 2 represents the body or platform `of the wagon.

3 is an open wire guard surrounding the wagonplatform, and i is ashelf or receptacle underneath the wagon-body.

The front wheels 5 are shown low to pass underneath the body forconvenience in turning.

S is the drivers seat mounted upon the standard 7 secured at the rear of the wagon upon the step or platform 6 beneath a semicircular space or recess in the rear of the wagon.

9 are cushions or knee-pads upon each side of the recess to protect the limbs of the driver.

Arranged near the center of the wagonplatforrn is the standard IO, having at its top rein loops or rings Il, through which theharness-reins l2 are passed and supported above the contents of the wagon and convenient to the hand of the driver. A hitchweight strap 13 may also be carried through one of the rings of the support and secured at one end to the bridle-bit of the team, the other end being carried downward through the body or platform to the weight la beneath. In order to lift the weight from the ground when it is desired to start the team, I prefer to provide carried over a drum or roller IG, supported in suitable bearings underneath the Wagon-body, and thence over another roll I7 underneath and at one side of the wagon-body adjacent to one ot' theV hind wheels IS, the end of the strap being provided with a ring 19, standing in a vertical position. In order to hold it in 'of the strap-holder 2l, which is fitted with a rod or handle 22, supported lengthwise of and underneath the body, and having a handle 23, by means of which it can be pulled backward, a spring 24 upon the rod tending' to hold it in its forward position. Upon the spokes of the adjacent wheel I8 I arrange hooks or projections 25 in such position that they successively pass close to the strapholder 2l and will engage the ring of the strap when the holderis drawn back by means of its handle, but will pass by the ring when Vthe holder is in its forward position. It will thus be seen that if the strap-holder is drawn back the first spokehook which passes by with the forward movement of the wagon will engage the ring of the strap and pull it downward, thus lifting theweightby means of the strap until the wheel in its rotation turns the hook in such a position as to allow the ring to slip off. In order to hold the weight in its raised position7 I .prefer to arrange in connection with the roll I6 a cam-shaped clutch 2G, which bears upon the strap and presses it against the roll. A Weight 27 upon an arm 2S, connected to the cam, serves to hold the cam in bearing contact with the strap at all times, thus allowing the strap to be drawn through it to raise the weight, but preventing it from slipping' in the opposite direction. A strap 29, attached to the clutcl1weight and passing over suitable supports connected to the Wagon-body to the recess at the rear, and fitted preferably with ahandle 30, is employed to lift it and release the strap, so as to drop the bitching-weight. I do not confine myself to this particular construction, as other means may be employed for bringing the liftinga lifting-strap l5, attached to the weight and this position, I pass the strap between the rolls IOO strap into engagement with the wagon-wheel,

so as t0 lift. the Weight when desired.

31 is a curved pivoted brake-lever having the arm or treadle 32 and provided with. a ratchet 34 and pawl 33 for holding the brake set and a handle 35 for releasing the brake. The short arm of thebrake-lever is connected to the bell-crank lever 37, which has pivotal support underneath the wagon-bod y, the other arm being connected by means of alink 38 to a crank of the brake-shaft 39. A spring 40, connected to the depending arm ot the bellcrank lever, tends to hold the brake 41 thrust forward and off the Wheel 18. It will thus be seen that the driver from his seat at the hind end of the wagon has complete control of the team and vehicle, having the reins supported in easy reach and means at hand for operating the brakes and for raising and. lowering the hitcliingveight without. moving from his seat.

I .claiml. In a horse-hitching device, the combination, with a Wagon having a rein support or standard, of a strap passed 4through the said standard connecting the bridle-bit and the bitching Weight, a lifting strap for said Weight, a spring controlled sliding strapholder operated by the driver, and a device upon said strap adapted to be engaged by the Wagon-Wheel when brought into proximity to it by the sliding of said holder, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a horse-hitching device, the combination, with the wagon, the hitching-weight, and its lifting-strap, of amovable support for said strap operated bythe driver and devices upon one of the wagon-Wheels engaging said strap and pulling upon the same to lift said Weight, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a horse-bitching device, the combination, with the wagon, the bitching-weight, and its lifting-strap, of supports for said strap upon the Wagon-body, a sliding strap-holder, means operated by the driver for shifting the position of said holder, and devices upon said Wheel engaging said strap when brought into proximity to them, substantially as described.

1t. In a horse-hitching device, the combination, with the Wagon, the hitching-Weight, and its lifting-strap, of a strap-supporting drum journaled underneath the Wagon-body, a clutch for said strap, means operated by the driver for releasing said clutch, a movable support for the strap adjacent to one of the Wagon-wheels and operated by the drivel', and devices upon the Wagon-Wheel for engaging said strap when brought into suitable position, substantially as described.

5. In a horsehitching device, the combination, With the wagon, the hitching-Weight, and the lifting-strap, of a clutch `for said strap, means operated by the driver for bringing the strap into proximity with one of the Wagon wheels, and projections upon the Wagon-wheels for engaging said strap, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this Lith day of November, 1890.

CHRISTIAN SEE.

In presence of T. D. HERWIN, A. MAE WELCH. 

